Cedar Valley Business Monthly is published monthly. It is a free publication direct-mailed to more
than 6,500 area businesses. For distribution, call Courier Communications at (319) 291-1527
Contact Cedar Valley Business Monthly at P.O. Box 540, Waterloo, IA 50704.

MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor

Jill Murray talks about different types of websites and blogs during an IT class for employees at PFGBest in
Cedar Falls.

CEDAR FALLS — Russ Wasendorf Jr. says “IT” might as well
be part of the jumble of letters
in the PFGBest nomenclature.
The Cedar Falls-based ﬁnancial
services company has grown on
its ability to develop fast, secure
and reliable information platforms in the competitive ﬁeld
of commodity futures trading,
said Wasendorf, president and
chief operating officer.
PFGBest specializes in electronic trading, futures, foreign

exchange, options, managed
accounts and precious metals.
It also stakes a claim as a leader
in research and investor education and offers numerous free
webinars each week attended
by hundreds of people wishing
to enhance their knowledge and
skills in trading, charting, trading psychology and many other
areas, Wasendorf said.
The company’s IT expertise
has fueled that growth, and
it is nurturing that expertise
both internally and externally,
through education, Wasendorf
said.

“We originally started off as a
company that focused on creating a trading platform and
were the ﬁrst ﬁrm to offer global
access, in 1998,” he said.

IT specialist leads efforts
The company brought on Liam
Boyle as its New York-based
chief information officer to pilot
development of that platform.
“We continued to build around
him in that time, and he became
the brains behind that operation,” Wasendorf said.

See PFGBEST, page 4

PAGE 4

THE COURIER

PFGBEST
From page 3
IT has transformed the company, Wasendorf added.
“We started being a brokerage
ﬁrm and started dabbling in IT,
and now we’re more an IT company dabbling in brokerage business,” he said.
The company’s evolution
accelerated as it moved its headquarters from Chicago to Cedar
Falls and moved into its new $18
million building on the edge of
town.
It has been able to recruit plenty of qualiﬁed talent to build the
IT infrastructure, Boyle said.
“As the company evolved, we
always had a footprint in Iowa,
but we started building the IT
team in Iowa,” Boyle said. “When
Russ (Wasendorf Sr.) and Russ
(Wasendorf Jr.) decided to move
to Iowa, we found a lot of great
people. The resource pull is
gigantic. In Iowa, the pool was
much smaller, so the decision

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

was made that we need to cultivate people and invest in people
to get them to be where we need
them to be.”
The company launched a scholarship program with Hawkeye
Community College and is working to develop similar programs at
the University of Northern Iowa,
Wartburg College and Kaplan
University to develop IT talent
for the future, Boyle added.
Two scholarships a year are
awarded to Hawkeye students.
The company pays tuition and
book fees as well. In addition, the
company offers paid internships.
“So, it was a pretty big investment. That’s why we focused on
two or three students per year,”
Wasendorf said.

Professional development
The professional-development
opportunities also apply to current employees.
“We wanted more web development talent and saw a lot of
value in that area,” he said. “We
realized with the massive pool of

talent already here, if given the
opportunity to take courses such
as web development, they may
ﬁnd they’re actually very good at
it,” Wasendorf said.
The program was to start with a
simple spreadsheet course.
“With that, you learn the basic
concepts of a database and programming,” Wasendorf said. “It
gives the groundwork to see what
people we want to advance on.”
The company recruited Jill
Murray, an adjunct professor at
UNI and Hawkeye.
“Jill was a great instructor and
turned out to be a great resource,
so we offered her a job to come
on full time and develop our
IT training course internally. It
wasn’t meant to be just internal;
it was meant to be internal and
external. We thought it would
be good to start cherry-picking some great talent locally and
use them as a basis for growing
a large robust IT department,”
Wasendorf said.
Boyle said it’s simply a matter of
investing what PFG considers its

cvbusinessmonthly.com

top resources — its employees.
PFG’s physical plant is a model
of IT efficiency, Boyle added.
“There was a real investment
put in to put that building where
it is and make sure it can handle
the type of data we handle as a
ﬁnancial ﬁrm,” he said.

New ofﬁces ﬁt plan
Extensive planning put the new
headquarters building on a plane
with any of the most advanced
operations in the world, Boyle
said.
“Large investments were made
in redundant connections not
just for power but communications,” he said. “We had to work
with (Cedar Falls Utilities) and
other providers to actually pull
out our own ﬁber lines from multiple locations. We have dedicated ﬁber lines PFG had invested in
and had installed to our building
and to Team Technology and back
to CFU. There was a tremendous
cost to that infrastructure, but it
is strong enough to sustain the
business model we built.”

AUGUST 2011
PFG’s new facilities, which
include a secure data center with
layers of redundant protection,
were designed to keep up with
the advances in IT.
“The Internet technology continues to improve; speed continues to improve; software continues to improve,” he said. “That’s
how we can make these offices
work much more efficiently. It
gives us the ability to operate
here as if we were anywhere in
the world,” Wasendorf said.
There’s a “war room” for video
conferences as well.
“The theory is we can have a
meeting at any time or place with
anybody in our offices and it will
feel like they’re in the same spot,”
he said. “We can take advantage
of our location in Iowa and have
the advantages of being able to
access the different beneﬁts we
have from places like New York,
Chicago and Los Angeles. We’re
able to tap into resources and pull
the best from the world and give
our employees the ability to be
where they want to be.”

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AUGUST 2011

BUSINESS MONTHLY

Information technology
central to local economy
PFGBest, the subject of the
cover story in this issue of Cedar
Valley Business
Monthly,
has
an
intriguing
story to tell. Just
glance around
the innards of
the company’s
state-of-the-art
building in rural
Jim Offner
Cedar Falls and
is the Courier
you’ll get a sense
business editor.
of security that
Contact him at
Fort Knox might
jim.offner@
strive to emulate
wcfcourier.com.
The data-center room in the bowels of the
PFGBest building resembles one
of those doomsday rooms from
a classic sci-ﬁ ﬁlm. A stack of
servers eight feet high and 10 feet
wide is housed in a vault-like
concrete room built to withstand
the worst of nature’s fury. Multiple layers of secure connections
with built-in redundancies communicate constantly with PFG IT
officials; if anything goes wrong,
they instantly know.
More about PFGBest’s information technology expertise can be
found in the story on page 3.
This article is more about IT in
general and the increasing role it
is playing in the Cedar Valley.
Information technology is about
keeping precious ﬁnancial, medical and other irreplaceable data
secure. That’s how some Cedar
Valley IT specialists are making
their businesses hum.
IT expertise often ﬂies under
the radar, but it generally comes
to the fore in the wake of natural

disasters, as in the ﬂood of 2008
when Cedar Falls-based Team
Technologies, for example, sprang
its own data-management and
security capabilities into action
to help clients like Iowa Health
System and Cedar Falls Utilitities
protect crucial data.
Barmuda Cos. also was able to
save its most sensitive data even
though the ﬂoods washed away
the company’s old headquarters
building and forced it to move
into a new $4 million facility in
the Cedar Falls Technology Park.
IT-focused companies such
as Team, and other Cedar Falls
companies like T8 Webware,
excel in their capacity as planning
specialists, and there are more
companies like that springing
up in the Cedar Valley each year.
Their constituencies may differ,
but their data-centric missions
share common goals.
The leaders in the IT community seem eager to share insights
with colleagues.
Once a month, some of the
brightest tech minds get together
to talk about the latest developments and future potential, both
on the business and technical
sides, at informal “Tech Brew”
meetings at local coffee shops.
As much a part of the local economy manufacturing and ﬁnancial
services are, look for information
technology to continue to take a
prominent spot in Cedar Valley
business. In a world that spins
on information, IT expertise is
the fuel of that activity, and the
Cedar Valley is in the middle of
that evolution.

Getting plugged
into technology
The stickiness of summer is
here, and that usually ushers in
a slowdown for
many in business.
However, the local
IT scene stays
active. There are
several
things
going on in the
Cedar Valley tech
Dan Beenken industry.
The Technolis manager of the
UNI Innovation
ogy Association of
Incubator. Contact Iowa has brought
him at 273-4322 its Tech Brew
or dan.beenken@ event to the Cedar
uni.edu.
Valley. It meets on
the ﬁrst Thursday each month after work at the
Voodoo Lounge in Cedar Falls.
You can learn more at www.
technologyiowa.org/en/events_
services/techbrew. It is a great
outlet to get tech-minded people
together to network and cover
just about anything tech-related.
Even if you don’t work for a
technology ﬁrm, there may be
ways technology can enhance
what you are doing. The Tech
Brew crowd is a great group to
bounce those ideas off of.
There are other groups meeting
around the area in speciﬁc areas
of technology as well. There is
a .NET users group that meets
the ﬁrst Tuesday of the month.
Its focus is on education around
.NET related technologies such
as ASP.NET, VB.NET, SharePoint, SQL Server and others.

WO-072911045

You can get more information at
www.cvineta.org.
For something more general,
Wade Arnold of T8 Webware has
organized Tech Talk Cedar Valley.
It’s a group of “geeks,” as Arnold
describes them, that meet every
quarter to talk about various techrelated topics and network for a
couple hours. For more information on Tech Talk check out its
Meet Up page at www.meetup.
com/tech-talk-Cedar-Valley.
There is also a great technology scene building momentum
at the University of Northern
Iowa at the Innovation Incubator. There are several technology-based ﬁrms in operation that
continue to generate new ideas
all the time. If you have an idea
for a startup, come over and talk
about ways the incubator can
help you accelerate your growth
and reduce your risks.
In addition to the incubation
program, the university is also
launching a co-work option for
those looking for a space to work
on a part-time basis. Think of
co-working as a spot to work
without the distractions of home
or the coffee prices of Starbucks.
There are already have a few
members on board working on
various startup businesses.
The Innovation Incubator is a
part of business and community
services, a division of the College
of Business Administration at the
University of Northern Iowa.

WO-072911009

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

Cigarette break goes up in smoke
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only kinds of discrimination that are illegal are the kinds
speciďŹ ed in a statute â&#x20AC;&#x201D; e.g.,
discrimination on the basis of
race, sex, age, disability, religion,
Q. My company moved to a
national origin, sexual orientanew facility three years ago and
tion, etc.,â&#x20AC;? said employment
implemented a new smoking
lawyer Richard Kass, a partner
policy that prohibits the staff
at Bond, Schoeneck & King in
from taking smoking breaks
Manhattan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other kinds of
during business hours, except
during our lunch hour. In the old favoritism may be poor management, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not against
building, we could all go out to
the law. There is no law that says
smoke as we pleased.
Some of the staff disregards the that bosses have to be fair.â&#x20AC;?
In fact, you may have unwitpolicy and sneaks out to smoke.
tingly prompted the managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a known fact this happens;
unwanted attention.
even the office manager knows
â&#x20AC;&#x153;A manager is permitted to
it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve personally seen her watch
discriminate against employees
some of these employees go
outside and smoke, and it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t who spend their working time
during their lunch hour. She has watching the manager to see if
the manager knows that other
done nothing to those people.
employees are taking smoking
But she saw me and decided to
breaks,â&#x20AC;? he said.
blab to upper management. To
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to note that
my knowledge, I am the only
aside from meal breaks, employperson who ever been written
ers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to grant any other
up for taking an unauthorized
breaks.â&#x20AC;?
smoking break. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this disCarrie Mason-Draffen is a
crimination? Can she legally
columnist for Newsday and the
enforce the policy so unevenly?
author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;151 Quick Ideas to Deal
With Difficult People.â&#x20AC;? Readers
A. The managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action may
indeed be discriminatory but not may send her email at carrie.
draffen@newsday.com.
necessarily illegal.

THE COURIER

PAGE 7

Wartburg College by the numbers

By CARRIE MASON-DRAFFEN
Newsday

In academics, service, music, and athletics,

Wartburg students excel

#1
96
450
600

ranked college nationally in percentage
of students on service trips during breaks
in 2010 and one of five recipients of
the inaugural Higher Education Civic
Engagement Awards.
percent of students accepted to
medical schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;more than twice the
national average of 46%.

students participate in its nationally
known and critically acclaimed music
programs with 14 ensembles.
students compete in the
No. 15-ranked overall NCAA
Division III intercollegiate athletic
programâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the highest finish for any
Iowa college in the U.S. Sports Academy
Directors Cup standings.

Country Club Business Center
San Marnan Drive at Ansborough Avenue
San Marnan Drive

LD D
SO SOL

3

Tow
er Park Drive

D

SOL
1

Third
Addition

Fish
er

2

SED

ou
l

1

77

5

4

ev
ard

2

L3 EA
Third
Addition

rs
B

Planned, business park development
Improvements in place and ready to build
Located in T.I.F. District
Located at exit #229 off U.S. Highway 20
Excellent access and visibilty on major metro
thoroughfares
Excellent traffic counts
Signal-controlled intersection
Already home to many area businesses, with
VA Clinic under construction

Ba
nk
e

of time and resources. If these
members of the “greatest generation” are willing and able to
adapt to new technologies, just
think what the boomers and
other generations to come will be
willing and able to do.
Last year in this publication,
I wrote about “exponential
change” and how things have
changed rapidly, and how we as
business professionals need to
embrace the changes and ﬁnd
ways to adapt to them. This was
brought home clearly to me when
I was sitting at breakfast that day.
If that group of people (who could
have easily adopted the attitude
that they have experienced all
that life has to offer) decides to
stay mentally active and embrace
new ideas, it should send a message to all of us that we must not
continue to do things the way we
always have. To survive we must
change.

Ansborough Avenue

My wife and I were recently at
breakfast with both sets of our
parents. Even though they live
in the same town,
because of their
age they don’t get
to see each other
too often. We
thought it would
be nice for them
to have some time
together. As we
Paul DiMarco sat eating, they
is operations
caught up with
manager with
each other. EvenVGM Forbin in
tually the main
Waterloo. Contact
him at 274-7979 topic of converor pauld@forbin. sation turned to
Facebook
and
com.
how they each
use it. I had to
chuckle. Here were four people
— ages 94, 93, 93 and 88 — talking about various things to do on
Facebook and how they use it. I
pity the business owner or marketing professional who thinks
social media marketing is a waste

DiMARCO
From page 8
Most of us by now have heard
the term “social media.” Many of
us understand it has something
to do with Facebook and Twitter.
While that’s a start, it is a very
basic deﬁnition. What about the
concept of social media marketing? How can we use social
media marketing if we don’t
know all there is to know about
social media? Simple — don’t
try to know “all there is to know”
about social media. From a marketing standpoint, set a plan and
follow it — with the exception
that you will implement social
media tools as tactics in the process. Don’t feel that you have to
utilize all the social media tools
available — pick one and use it
and learn from it. When you get
comfortable with the activity
and results, add another service
to the process.
The main thing to understand
about social media marketing
is that it is not a “set-it-andforget-it” process. It is not like
placing an ad in the newspaper,
or setting a radio or TV advertising schedule to run. Social media
marketing needs to be “social.”
You need to use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, videos — each where
appropriate — to get bits of your
message and branding out to
multiple segments of the marketplace constantly. Each of
these tactics allows for instant

cvbusinessmonthly.com

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

feedback that is extremely valuable to you as a business owner.
As a business, your “brand” is
not what you want to tell clients
it is, but rather what your clients
tell you. They will do it with posts
and comments on all the platforms listed above. If you are not
active in the social environment,
you will miss out on what is being
said and how you can react.
This may sound daunting — a
whole new set of processes and
tactics to learn. Who said succeeding in business was easy? If
you haven’t implemented some
form of social media marketing
in your marketing mix within
the past year and your competitor has, you have cause for concern. I’m not implying that your
competitor will automatically
succeed just because they have
started the process, but they have
a better chance of inﬂuencing the
market because they are engaged
in the process. Nobody hits the
ball without swinging the bat.
If you’re not in the social media
marketing game it’s time to step
up to the plate. While it takes
time and resources to implement
these tactics, there are a growing number of business that offer
these types of services.
When I go home and see a 93year-old couple interacting with
and being inﬂuenced every day
by technology like Facebook, I see
potential for all of us. Hopefully,
you will embrace that potential
and take steps with your business
to start implementing a social
media marketing plan into your
business.

Want to
learn about
religious
doubt and the
Western secular
tradition?
Interested in the art and architecture on the UNI
campus? Or what the past, present and future are for
Iowa caucuses? Then UNI’s Lifelong University is the
program for you.
Courses and class formats include four-week,
three-week and one-week programs. Lifelong
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and will offer non-credit courses taught by
retired and current UNI faculty and staff.

For more information, call University
Events Coordination at 319-273-5141 or
visit www.uni.edu/llu.
WO-072911051

PAGE 10

THE COURIER

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

Jump-start your studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s post-graduation ďŹ nances
That ceremonial toss of the
mortarboard at graduation
means
your
child has officially entered
the next phase
of his or her
financial life.
Chances are
that up to this
point youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve
played a key
Larry K. Fox
role in his or
is senior ďŹ nancial
her financial
adviser with
Ameriprise Financial well-being. But
Inc., Waterloo.
donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bow out
Contact him
just yet. You
at 234-7000.
can still help get
your graduate
on the road to ďŹ nancial independence with these suggestions.
Encourage organization â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Balancing a checkbook regularly and
setting up a simple ďŹ ling system
for important papers is a must.
Good organization helps to track

expenses and establishes a paper
trail should it be needed later.
Teach tips for tracking expenses. Allocating income to spending categories can help your
young adult avoid debt, plan
for expenses and provide more
money for enjoyment. By establishing a timeframe and tracking
spending, your child can decide
which expenses are unnecessary and which ones need to be
worked into a regular budget.
Support goal-setting â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Perhaps
your graduate wishes to save for
a new car or a ďŹ rst home. As you
have already learned, knowing
what you want to accomplish
with your money is an important
ďŹ rst step in reaching goals. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
not too early to introduce your
children to your ďŹ nancial adviser
and others in your life who have
helped you reach your own goals.
Tout the virtues of an emergency
fund â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Once theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve landed a

job, it makes smart ďŹ nancial
sense to set aside an emergency
reserve of three to six months living expenses. They may not see
a high rate of return on the conservative investments appropriate for a reserve fund, but job loss,
disability and medical bills happen at any age, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to be
prepared for the unexpected.
Encourage saving before spending â&#x20AC;&#x201D; After theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve paid the
bills and had lots of fun is the
wrong time to think about saving
money. A foolproof way to make
sure young adults pay themselves
ďŹ rst is to save a certain amount
from each paycheck. This can
be done effortlessly through an
automatic payroll deduction or
an automatic investment program in a mutual fund account.
Explain the beneďŹ ts of early
retirement savings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Retirement
is probably the last thing on a
recent graduateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind, espe-

cially in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job market.
However, once on the job, saving
for retirement early makes sense,
especially with looming Social
Security reform.
Early starters have several
advantages over those who wait
until their 30s or 40s to begin.
Not only will investments compound, but they will also grow
tax-deferred. By delaying taxes
on 401(k) earnings, even modest
investments can grow to respectable sums by retirement. Add
the beneďŹ t of possible employer
matches to these contributions,
and a qualiďŹ ed plan is hard to
beat.
Outside of an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan,
investments can also be made in
traditional or Roth IRAs. Traditional IRA contributions may
be federal income tax deductible if income requirements are
met. They also offer tax-deferred
growth until distributions are

taken after age 59Â˝. Roth IRA
contributions are made with
after-tax dollars, but withdrawals may be tax-free in retirement
if certain conditions are met.
Encourage debt management
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Once that ďŹ rst job is landed,
the lure of material items will
be strong. Hopefully you can
inďŹ&#x201A;uence your kids to save for
what they want and avoid racking up debt. Delayed gratiďŹ cation is a discipline they should
learn to value as their ďŹ nances
take shape.
Teach the beneďŹ t of time â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The
world is before recent graduates
and a long time horizon may be
their greatest asset. That means
they can grow their investments
without having to worry about
short-term volatility. By getting started now, young adults
can enjoy ďŹ nancial security in the
future â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and still have some fun
along the way.

Creative Culture
Clients Nationwide
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These are just a few of the reasons why working at T8 Webware is great. We have a
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If you like sharing, challenging yourself in new areas and developing skills, find out if
creating solutions at T8 Webware could fit into your life. We are always seeking
exceptional talent in:

Community banks offer the latest money-managing technology
In listing the areas of one’s
life that have been impacted by
technology over the past decade,
banking and
financial services may be
toward the top.
Just 10 years
ago,
online
banking was
still fairly new
and a trip or call
to the bank was
Mike McCrary often required
is ﬁrst vice president/ for even roumarketing director
tine banking
at Lincoln Savings
transactions.
Bank/LSB Financial
in Waterloo. Contact Writing a check
him at 433-3777 or was the promimikem@mylsb.com. nent payment
method
for
retail purchases and paying bills. Today, it is
unthinkable that a bank of any
size wouldn’t offer basic online
services. It’s also likely that trips
or calls to the bank have become

less frequent, replaced by online
services and ATM visits. The use
of debit cards and online bill payment has signiﬁcantly reduced
the volume of checks being processed in the U.S.
Behind the scenes, online
banking and check processing
have come a long way. Services
available online often parallel the
transactions that can be conducted at a bank branch. Checks
once cleared by mail and courier,
the original check being passed
from customer to merchant,
through the Federal Reserve
System, to the originating bank
and ultimately back to the customer. Today all of this is done
electronically.
As much as the past 10 years
have been witness to change,
the next 10 will see that increase
exponentially. The ubiquity of
mobile devices that scan, store
and transmit information has the
potential of changing the pay-

ments landscape. Burgeoning
updates in budgeting and ﬁnancial management tools promise a
bright future for those who have
beneﬁted from tracking their
ﬁnancial lives digitally.
Within the next few months
and years, more banks will adopt
mobile banking platforms and
enhanced online functionality.
While these offerings have been
available from larger institutions
for a while, technology providers
have recently made them more
accessible to community banks.
One online enhancement, Personal Financial Management,
encompasses a host of features to
help individuals view, categorize
and manage ﬁnancial resources
online. Although a few independent providers offer robust
PFM solutions, PFM functionality has had a difficult time capturing popular attention. This
is likely because PFM providers
are often not banks, requiring

users to share sensitive ﬁnancial
information with an unknown
entity. They also become a chore
to maintain because users must
manage another logon outside
of the banking relationship. As
smaller banks start to offer PFM
and other enhancements as part
of their online suite of tools, the
consumer will be the winner.
With so much banking and
financial management taking place online and via mobile
devices, the question of security
is valid. That too has improved.
Where once a username and
password gave one full access to
ﬁnances online, today dual-factor authentication is commonplace. DFA is essentially another
hoop through which someone
with malicious intent would
have to jump through in order to
access your sensitive information. The most secure form of
DFA would require the use of a
“token” or physical device that

cannot be duplicated or known
by anybody else. Users would
enter their password, and then
a number presented digitally on
their mobile phone. Another step
for the honest end-user to be
sure, but a small one to ensure
the security of their ﬁnances.
Going digital with one’s ﬁnances can offer a great deal of security and convenience. Bills can
be paid in minutes, accounts can
be reconciled simply and easily,
and goals can be set and tracked.
Individuals who embrace technology to manage their ﬁnancial
lives will beneﬁt greatly from
upcoming innovation offered
by community banks. They can
enjoy the rich set of functionality
and convenience while still using
a local bank that invests in and
supports the community. Look
for a great deal of change in the
coming months and years, and
look for a lot more from our local
banks.

We’re here to
ﬁnance your very
unique journey.

today, my
business
blossoms.

When your company partners
with Veridian Credit Union®,
tomorrow can be a day unlike
any other. Every day is original.

Electronic portfolios: A useful tool in today’s job market
During the hiring process,
employers may encounter an
applicant with
an electronic
portfolio. An
ePortfolio is a
digital archive
of items (audio/
video
clips,
text,
graphics or examples
Marilyn Drury of work) that
is director of
showcases a
educational
person’s work.
technology at the
ePortfolios have
University of Northern
been used since
Iowa. Contact her
the early 1990s,
at 273-6268 or
evolving from
marilyn.drury@uni.
p a p e r- b a s e d
edu.
portfolios, and
are frequently used by candidates
seeking positions in a variety of
ﬁelds. Many pre-K through 12
schools and higher education
institutions use ePortfolios to

create opportunities to learn and
reﬂect on their work. Once students begin using ePortfolios,
they often continue use throughout their lives.
The 2010 Campus Computing Survey annually reports data
on trends related to the use of
information technology in private and public higher education.
One of the metrics reported last
year was the use of ePortfolios on
campuses. Close to 50 percent of
four-year institutions responding to the survey offer ePortfolio services to faculty, staff and
students. Approximately 30 percent of community colleges offer
such services. Over the last eight
years, the percentage of institutions offering ePortfolios has
increased dramatically. The use
at public four-year institutions
increased from approximately 22
percent to 50 percent.

Job applicants often provide an
employer access to an ePortfolio
for a certain time period. A person sees information the owner
designates for a particular viewer. Potential employers would
ﬁnd items such as a resume, videos, presentation skills, leadership examples, past work history
and more. Candidates can add
details such as rationale for why
they included certain items, their
professional growth, philosophical views on certain topics and
challenges they have experienced
in their work.
Another beneﬁt of an ePortfolio is that it allows peers, teachers
and faculty to provide feedback
on the portfolio owner’s work.
This provides candidates with
insights on improving their work
in the ePortfolio.
Use of an ePortfolio system
is secure — meaning a person’s

ePortfolio can’t be viewed by
the world, only by those who the
owner allows to view the ePortfolio. This is extremely important
due to the personal information
often contained in an ePortfolio.
An ePortfolio can be easily updated as the owner gains
greater career experience. Many

businesses ﬁnd value in asking potential employees for an
ePortfolio reﬂecting their work
and expertise in a variety of situations. The e-portfolios are a
valuable resource in the hiring
process and can help employers
select the top candidate for the
position.

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

Social media help break
through gender barriers
Newsday

MELVILLE, N.Y. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; As a woman in
a male-oriented business, Lindsay M. Heller says she knows
what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to be mistaken for
a cashier â&#x20AC;&#x153;simply because of my
sex.â&#x20AC;?
Still, Heller, general manager at
J Barbera Tobacconist in Garden
City, points to a resource she says
has helped her break the gender
barrier â&#x20AC;&#x201D; social media.
Sites like Twitter, Facebook
and LinkedIn have helped her
establish her personal brand
and â&#x20AC;&#x153;assert myself globally in
the tobacco industry,â&#x20AC;? where
she serves on executive advisory boards and speaks at major
events.
Indeed, a new report from
LinkedIn, with more than 100
million members, says that
women in some nontraditional
ďŹ elds are particularly well-connected, more so than their male
counterparts, with the same true
for men in some female-dominated industries. This is based

on a networking â&#x20AC;&#x153;savvinessâ&#x20AC;? formula that considers the ratio of
the number of menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connections on LinkedIn,
and the ratio of men to women
in given ďŹ elds. So in an industry where 45 percent of proďŹ les
are womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, but women have
70 percent of the connections,
women would be considered the
savvier networkers.
In industries dominated by one
sex, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;minority sexâ&#x20AC;? may just
be networking harder to break in,
say the LinkedIn data crunchers.
Chandlee Bryan, a career coach
and co-author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Twitter Job Search Guide,â&#x20AC;? says that
social media â&#x20AC;&#x153;can be a huge barrier buster.â&#x20AC;? Engaging and sharing know-how can demonstrate
professional chops and â&#x20AC;&#x153;really
bring down the walls,â&#x20AC;? she said.
The â&#x20AC;&#x153;magic numberâ&#x20AC;? of connections on the site is 50, which
shows you have a solid professional network, said Nicole Williams, LinkedInâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connection
director. The next tier to shoot
for â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 500, she said.

Upper Iowa University has
established a resource for businesses along Iowa Highway 150
from Oelwein to West Union.
The Upper Iowa Corridor project
is designed to help “brand” the
corridor as a place for business
and leisure, according to Andrew
Wenthe, UIU vice president for
external affairs.
“We have more resources available along this portion of Highway 150 than most people realize,” Wenthe said. “We have a
variety of restaurants, gift shops,
and other small businesses as
well as excellent recreational
resources, including the Volga
River. We have an outstanding
quality of life to share.”
The Upper Iowa Corridor
project, which was established
by UIU in partnership with
area chambers of commerce
and other organizations, helps
expand the e-resources and ecommerce capabilities for business in the area. It can provide
free web placement to showcase
regional businesses, consultation on marketing and seminars
on entrepreneurship, business
plans, website creation and
development, tax issues and
accounting practices.
The Upper Iowa Corridor project creates an electronic hub that
links all businesses from Oelwein
to West Union through a single
website (www.upperiowacorridor.org). In addition to provid-

ing information about regional
businesses, the website also lists
resources available to businesses,
job openings, and provides information about the UIU E-Center,
which provides access to grant
opportunities, e-learning and
seminars, and e-marketing services. Wenthe noted that several of the e-marketing services
— such as website design and
security — are offered through
an E-Center-sponsored, student-run organization known as
Heartlanding. “We believe that
businesses need to expand their
footprint electronically to survive
in rural areas,” Wenthe added.
“UIU wants to be a resource to
small businesses, helping them
to expand markets and increase
their exposure. The website will
continue to evolve as a resource
to recruit people and businesses
to the region and support those
we already have.”
Wenthe said creating the Upper
Iowa Corridor resources is an
outgrowth of the University’s
commitment to economic development of the region. The university addresses the importance
of initiating and supporting eco-

nomic development efforts as
part of the UIU strategic plan and
has followed through by collaborating on creation of the city of
Fayette downtown master plan,
construction of additional single-family housing in the community and establishing new
businesses in Fayette through the
Upper Iowa Business Development grant.
The UIBD grant was created through an endowment of
$500,000, donated by Bob and
Betty Firth, longtime benefactors
of the university and members of
the UIU board of trustees. The
program offers an annual grant of
up to $40,000 to entrepreneurs
interested in starting, expanding
or relocating a business in Fayette. Individuals applying for the
UIBD grant will be evaluated on
criteria ranging from the expected impact on the community in
terms of job creation and local
tax revenue, the e-commerce
opportunities present in the
applicants’ business plan, and
whether or not the business will
provide a measurable beneﬁt or
amenity to the community.
Since the grant program began

in 2008, three businesses have
been added to Fayette’s Main
Street — Fayette Flooring, S.K.
Rogers Funeral Chapel and Victories Restaurant & Sports
Lounge. These three businesses
combined have created over 30
jobs and $250,000 in new retail
sales.

M. Cameron
Hodges, MD
About Dr. Hodges:
Dr. Hodges is a general surgeon
with Covenant Clinic, and the

Get your
money’s worth

Midwest Institute of Advanced
Laparoscopic SurgeryTM. He has
nearly 10 years of experience
performing surgical interventions
including endoscopy/colonoscopy,

The Cedar Valley Business
Monthly is an efficient way
to spend your advertising
dollars. If you want to place
a display ad, call an account
executive at 291-1497 from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Our account
executives will help you
establish a campaign.

“UIU is committed to the
region in which we live, and we
are invested in making sure this
area thrives,” Wenthe added.
Monica Bayer-Heaton is executive
director of communications and
marketing for Upper Iowa University in
Fayette. Contact her at (563) 425-5891.

AUGUST 2011

cvbusinessmonthly.com

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

Money only one facet
of retirement scenario
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do I have enough to retire?â&#x20AC;?
This is a common question
we tend to think about when we
begin to seriously consider
retirement.
This question
can often lead
to fear and selfdoubt as we
wonder if our
nest egg will
Erica Feldick be â&#x20AC;&#x153;enoughâ&#x20AC;? to
is a ďŹ nancial adviser fund our retirewith Jacobson
ment. We get
Financial Services in so wrapped up
Cedar Falls. Contact in the finanher at 266-2445.
cial aspects of
retirement that
we neglect to see the big picture.
In his book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The New Retirementality,â&#x20AC;? author Mitch Anthony writes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Retirement is a life
event, not an economic event.
We need to develop a more
holistic approach that integrates
â&#x20AC;Ś individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aspirations, life
stage, familial responsibilities, health issues and concerns
about money â&#x20AC;Ś In the wheel of

FSB BUSINESS BANKING

life, money is but one spoke. It
is not the wheel and it is not the
hub.â&#x20AC;?
When we only think of retirement in terms of funding, we are
leaping ahead of the logical steps
we need to take in order to arrive
at a funding goal. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like obsessing about the cost of a vacation
without determining where
youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going and what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do
when you get there. How will we
know how much money we need
if we do not know what we want
our retirement to look like? Have
we thought about what we will
do post-retirement?
As you begin to consider what
retirement might look like
for you, watch out for cultural
assumptions and, what Anthony
calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;Retiremyths,â&#x20AC;? which tend
to keep us from considering all
the possibilities. There are many
cultural assumptions and myths
we believe about retirement,
yet these assumptions may not
reďŹ&#x201A;ect our feelings on the matter.

See FELDICK, page 16

PAGE 15

THE COURIER

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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

Startup businesses come together at UNI incubator
By JOHN MOLSEED
john.molseed@wcfcourier.com

CEDAR FALLS — Two startup
businesses that shared a similar
business plan now share an office
and company name.
Two fledgling businesses merged at the University of
Northern Iowa Innovation Incubator to form Target Click Marketing Solutions.
The company offers online
marketing expertise to help
businesses promote themselves
through paid searches, search
engine placement and social
media.
“Since we’ve merged, we’ve
become much more conﬁdent,”
said Greg Jass, co-owner of Target Click.
Jass founded SEO Solutions last
August.
Doug Drees founded Target
Click in January 2010 shortly
after moving back to the area
from Denver, Colo. Drees, a 2007
graduate of the University of
Denver, moved his business into
the UNI incubator in March. The
incubator gives startup businesses office space, a phone number
and address — and accounting
assistance — to help new companies get off the ground.

FELDICK
From page 15
A common assumption: Retirement means quitting work cold
turkey. If you love your job, you
may want to consider working
in retirement. If you’ve always
dreamed of starting your own
business, retirement might be
the time to start one.
If you are nearing retirement,
Anthony suggests considering the following questions
before delving into the ﬁnancial
mechanics:
■ What would the ideal week
in your retirement life look like?
How will you invest your time?
■ What are you most looking
forward to when you are retired?

Jass, a May UNI graduate, said
the incubator has provided more
than infrastructure for the startup. It’s a place where like-minded
entrepreneurs come together.
“We motivate each other,” he
said.
When Jass and business partner Therese Kuster gave a presentation about their business to
other incubator business owners, Drees decided to approach
him and bring the two endeavors
together.
“We realized we were both
pretty young companies, and we
were both on the verge of something special,” Drees said.
Marketing companies that
focus on online marketing strategies are relatively new. The three
said they foresee a boom.
“Websites used to be a brochure,” Kuster said. “Now, everything has to be interactive. If it’s
one-sided, you’re in trouble.”
Kuster, who plans to graduate
from UNI in May 2012, focuses
on social media marketing strategies. Drees works on paid search
and e-commerce plans, while
Jass works on search engine
optimization.
Kuster said she isn’t much of
a risk taker but added she got
advice from her father to take the
■ What will you miss most
about the job you have today?
■ How do you plan to change
your lifestyle when you retire?
■ What are your biggest fears
about your retirement?
■ What are the top ﬁve to 10
things you want to do while you
still can?
■ A ﬁnancial adviser you trust
can be a great sounding board
as you go through the process of
discovering what it is you’d like
your retirement to look like. It’s
okay if it isn’t conventional. Your
advisor can lead you through the
discovery process and into the
ﬁnancial details, until you have
arrived at a realistic set of goals
and assumptions. Together, you
can use what you’ve learned to
make retirement decisions that
are best for you and your family.

MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor

Doug Drees, left, Therese Kuster, center, and Greg Jass have combined
forces to create Target Click, an online marketing company.
opportunity while she is young.
However, she doesn’t see the
business as risky.
“Opportunities arose and we
took them little by little,” she

said. “We’ve been too busy to be
scared.”
The three said terms like search
engine optimization will go from
obscure buzz phrases to an essen-

tial tool in every business plan.
Gone are the days of businesses
jockeying for ﬁrst-display status
in phone books by tacking extra
a’s to the front of their names.
Search engine optimization helps businesses appear in
a prominent position in online
searches relevant to their services. Businesses can use online
social media to have their clients and customers help market
for them. It also allows clients
and customers to give businesses
instant feedback.
Although businesses are realizing they need to employ these
strategies, few companies focus
on those specific marketing
strategies, Jass said.
Target Click has 10 active clients and 20 projects in their
portfolio, Drees said.
“To get in the game this early is
really exciting,” Drees said.

Using technology professionally a must in any industry
When we think about information technology, computer
science and high-tech skills, we
often think of careers in business,
finance, graphic
design and marketing. But manufacturing careers
demand hightech skills, too.
Advanced
manufacturing
represents
the
Brittany
economic
base
of
Jungck
our community.
is advanced
Thousands of jobs
manufacturing
and millions of
coordinator
with Hawkeye
dollars in tax reveCommunity
nue are created by
College in
these companies.
Waterloo. Contact
And technology
her at 296-2329.
is just as much a
part of manufacturing as any other industry.
Students who pursue this career
pathway often sideline their
computer skills in favor of more
time in the shop honing their
trade. That choice may damage
some applicants’ employability.
Last month I moderated a panel
of human resource professionals from manufacturing ﬁrms

based all over Iowa. When asked
the No. 1 reason job-seekers are
turned away, nearly all replied
that few resumes and applications are completed correctly.
More than 50 percent of area
manufacturers have online
applications. They expect participants to be able to spell, use
proper capitalization and demonstrate proper grammar. They
expect job-seekers to write complete sentences. They expect
professionalism.
As applicants make their way
through the screening process,
technology can throw another hurdle in the hiring process,
including issues with cell phone
protocol. Many employers
issue smartphones to employees so they can track emails and
appointments. However, cell
phones must be used professionally both while employed and
when seeking a job. An unprofessional applicant can leave the
employer wondering what else
the applicant doesn’t know. With
more than 300 million cell phone
users in the U.S., inconsiderate
cell phone habits and forgetting
to turn off the cell phone during

an interview can cost you a job.
Several HR professionals have
commented to me that they will
call an applicant to schedule a
potential interview, only to be
confronted with screaming music
in their ear the second their ﬁnger swiped the last number. Callback recordings can kill employability. No potential employer
wants to hear music instead of a
ring. Yet, it is far more common
than people think.
Professionalism is also disappearing from voicemail greetings.
“Yo, this is B---, call me back or
don’t. I probably don’t care.”
This is an actual message I
received when calling to schedule scholarship interviews with
potential candidates. It is also
what many employers are hearing
from people of all ages when they
dial those digits on the resume.

In the end, a person’s application can be a gorgeous piece of
artwork, but the phone call can
cancel it all out.
Finally, email. Know how to
send a professional email. In this
high-tech world, many resumes
are submitted via email. Employers expect correspondence to be
written professionally. Signatures should not include random
quotes. And the email addresses
themselves should be a name —
simply a name — not a nickname
or a humorous title.
Job-seekers think they understand technology in this hightech world— and they might —
but many do not understand how
to marry professionalism with
technology appropriately. Others
do not understand that technology plays a part in all industries.
Excel spreadsheets appear more

often on a machining ﬂoor than
people realize, and many internal
forms for area companies have
been made web-based for easy
access.
The best way to combat these
annoyances in this high-tech
working universe is to teach job
applicants, young and experienced, to be professional at all
times no matter what the medium of communication. Using
email does not grant a license to
throw the need for good communication out the window.
With unemployment at
record-high levels the importance of professionalism in
the workplace is more important than ever. Our society has
become fast-paced and casual,
but professionalism remains the
key to success and advancement
in all careers.

This annual recognition breakfast is for new teachers in the Cedar Valley. Local businesses show their support of the quality education found in the
Cedar Valley and have an opportunity to welcome the new teachers to Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The District Superintendents, Alliance & Chamber
representatives and business leaders will provide a brief program. Both events are attended by approximately 100 people. Please contact Amy B.
Anderson with any questions regarding this year's breakfasts at 232-1156 or aanderson@cedarvalleyalliance.com
-------------Gold Sponsors-------------

For more information please contact Kim Schleisman at 232-1156 or kschleisman@cedarvalleyalliance.
com. If you are interested in being a sponsor for the 2012 Golf Classic, please contact Molly Brown at
266-3593 or mbrown@cedarvalleyalliance.com.

David Stoakes
Superintendent
Cedar Falls School
District
Representing
K-12 Education

Lynn Carter
Bossard
Representing
Tourism

Existing Business Survey
More than 80% of the growth of our Community is the result of existing businesses that have invested in equipment and facilities, paid
taxes, and created jobs. The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber understands the importance of retaining and expanding existing companies
and recognizes that a healthy business climate is vital for their success.
As part of the Allianceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Existing Industry Program, Linda Laylin is sending a survey to over 250 manufacturers in the Cedar Valley. The
survey helps to identify areas of assistance, i.e., identifying job training opportunities, discovering supplier linkages, and creating new intra-region
business relationships. Laylin feels it is equally important that companies are aware of the programs and services available to assist with expansion
plans.
Survey responses in previous years have been used to address the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce issues, to improve state and local incentives, and to
formulate legislative priorities for the Cedar Valley.

TechWorks Designated Enterprise Zone
WATERLOO, IOWA â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Cedar Valley TechWorks is pleased to announce that
their Campus has been designated as an Enterprise Zone by the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Cary Darrah, General Manager of TechWorks, is pleased to learn of the
designation, she commented â&#x20AC;&#x153;From day one TechWorks has been focused
on creating an attractive environment for investment and job creation. The Enterprise Zone designation is a solid economic development tool that
Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;ĆĄÂ&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A;Ç¤Â&#x2014;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2018;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;
Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2019;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2019;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;
Â&#x2021;ĆĄÂ&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2019;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A;Ç¤Çł
Enterprise Zones are designed to stimulate development by targeting economically distressed areas in Iowa. Through state and local tax incentives, businesses and developers are encouraged to make new investments, and create or retain jobs in these areas. The goal of the program is to
revitalize these areas and make them competitive with other locations throughout the state. Businesses locating or expanding in an established
Enterprise Zone may be eligible to receive certain local and state tax incentives. For example; local property tax exemption based on the value
added to the property, funding for training new employees and refund of state sales, service, or use taxes paid to contractors or subcontractors
during construction.
Of course there are some eligibility requirements for businesses utilizing those incentives. For example, the business will need to make a minimum qualifying investment of $500,000 over a three year period, create or retain at least 10 full-time, project-related jobs over a three year period
Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021;Ć¤Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;ÇŚÂ&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Ç¤
For more details on Enterprise Zones: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/business/enterprise_zones.aspx
Cedar Valley TechWorks is a regional bioeconomy, technology and advanced manufacturing campus connecting technology, intellectual
property, and industry innovators, with a focus on commercializing and manufacturing bioproducts. TechWorks is bringing together public
and private sector partners to collaborate on new bioeconomy innovations, including Deere & Company, the University of Northern Iowa
and Hawkeye Community College. TechWorks is a place where major innovators in the region as well as small and start-up businesses, can
collaborate on and showcase innovations and products, while at the same time accessing expertise and facilities of major research universities
in the state. TechWorks consists of a 43-acre campus containing 15 acres of development sites and over 300,000 square feet of space in two
existing buildings undergoing renovation. Located at the intersection of Waterlooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown riverfront, the John Deere Waterloo Works
Drive Train Operations, and the interchange of U.S. Highways 63 and 218, TechWorks is highly visible and accessible.

www.greencedarvalley.com

Green Cedar Valley Initiative

www.greencedarvalley.com

Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;ĆŹÂ&#x160;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;ĆĽÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x153;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Ć¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x201E;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;
Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x203A;
Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Ç¤
Â&#x2C6;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?
Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Ć¤Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;
Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Ç¤Â&#x2030;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x203A;Ç¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?
Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;ÇĄÂ&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2022;ĆŹÂ&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;
Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â?ĆĽÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2021;
Â&#x2014;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x201E;Â&#x203A;
Ç¤Ç¤Ç¤Ç¤Ç¤Č&#x2039;
Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2020;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;
Organization) and can be found at www.corporatekindness.org.
Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Ç¤Ç¤Â&#x2018;ĆĽÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x192;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Ç¤Â&#x192;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Í&#x2DC;Í&#x201D;Î¨Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;
Â&#x2026;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;ÇŚĆ¤Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Ç¤Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2019;ÇŁ
x Supply paper recycling bins at every location that there is a trash receptacle.
x Replace paper based internal forms with electronic digitally signed ones. If someone really needs a paper copy they can print it.
x Print double-sided whenever possible.
x Â?Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2022;Â&#x160;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Ć¤Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;ÇĄÂ&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2026;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Ç¤
x Set margins on every computer to .75 inches rather than the default 1.25 inches.

AUGUST2010
2011
MARCH

PAGE 21

WWW.GREATERCEDARVALLEYCHAMBER.COM

Schedule set for the 2011-2012 Cedar Valley Leadership Institute

TRC Co-Chairs Selected

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is pleased to present the
2011-2012 Cedar Valley Leadership Institute, a professional development series
designed for business members who want to develop and strengthen their
leadership skills within the community. If you are interested in registering,
please contact Molly Brown at 266-3593, or email mbrown@cedarvalleyalliance.com. Early
registration is recommended, seating is limited. Final reservations are due to the Greater
Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber by September, 1, 2011. Listed below are course topics and
what to expect:
October 5, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Developing Relations with Memory Enhancements- Dale Carnegie seminar will help you
Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â?Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Č&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2022;Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;
gatherings.) The day will focus on networking and interpersonal skills, while you get to know your classmates.
November 2, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Leadership through Community Volunteerism- Through personality/management assessments learn how you and others interact. Learn directly from community leaders on the rewards experienced through leadership and volunteering. Experience the servant style and explore ways to implement
serving in your routine.
December 7, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Meet your Community- You will gain an insight into the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and
culture in the Cedar Valley. Gain a better knowledge of the present and future demographics of our workforce and community. Take the Diversity tour to highlight the Cedar Valley history museums, cultural centers, places of worship and much more.
January 4, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Understanding Your Local and State Government/Power of Communication- Meet loÂ&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â?Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;ĆĽÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2030;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â?Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x203A;Ç¤
Through this session, you will learn how the government works, how it impacts local and state issues, and
Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â?Â?Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;ĆĄÂ&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â?Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Ç¤Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;
Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;ĆĄÂ&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2022;Ç¤
February 1, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Healthcare- Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;ĆĄÂ&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x201E;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2013;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;
aging generations in the workplace, worker shortages in the healthcare industry, costs of healthcare and
government reimbursement, and community resources available. You will also get active with workplace
wellness! Get insights into drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace with a testing coordinator.
March 7, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Economic Development in the Cedar Valley- Tour the Cedar Valley to understand economic
development collaboration through the many organization such as The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance &
Chamber, Main Street Programs, Tourism Bureaus, City Departments, and many others.
April 4, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Education in the Cedar Valley- Understand the challenges of education and how working as
a community we can improve and enhance the Cedar Valley. Learn more about education issues through
open discussion with superintendents, principals, and administrators.
May 2, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Diversity- Diversity is part of our community, state, and country. Take a deeper look at imÂ?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2030;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?ÇĄÂ&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;ĆĄÂ&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022;ÇĄÂ&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Ç¤Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;ÇŤÂ&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;
about your dominant personality traits and how to work better as a team.
May â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TBA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CVLI Graduation Ceremony

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is
pleased to announce that the Co-Chairs for the 2011
Total Resource Campaign are Corey Clark, Lincoln
Savings Bank and Chris Fereday, Pedersen, Dowie,
Clabby & McCausland Insurance. The campaign theme
Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Ç˛Â&#x2014;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;
Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;ÇłÂ&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2019;Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;
September through November. Alliance & Chamber
volunteers will secure sponsorships for a wide variety of
activities, events and initiatives as well as recruitment of
new members/investors.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The TRCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse variety of sponsorships allows
our members and investors the chance to plan their
promotional dollars for the whole year. It also provides
a great networking opportunity for the volunteers,
and the opportunity to meet more Alliance & Chamber
members. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TRC was a great success and I am
Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Ć¤Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;ÇĄÇłÂ&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201E;
Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;ÇĄ
Chamber President.
Those interested in sponsorships or becoming involved
Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Ç˛Â&#x2014;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;
Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;ÇłÂ&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;
Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;ĆŹÂ&#x160;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;ĆĽÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Í&#x2013;Í&#x2014;Í&#x2013;ÇŚÍ&#x2022;Í&#x2022;Í&#x2122;Í&#x161;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;
Molly Brown at mbrown@cedarvalleyalliance.com.

Technology a means to an end, not the end itself
I was eating an individual-sized
bag of chips the other day. When
I ﬁnished the bag, I ﬂattened it
out and turned it over to read
the content on
the back before
I threw it away.
Beneath the box
that told me how
many calories I’ll
have to burn off
later were two
small but familiar
Jesse Tink logos, logos that
is Waterloo
campus pastor seem to be everyof Prairie Lakes where these days.
Church. Contact One was a small
him at 266-2655. blue square with
a white, lowercase
“f” in it. The other was a lighter
blue square with what looked like
a pregnant robin about to sing in
the later days of spring.
And I thought to myself, “Wow,
even my Doritos bag is tweeting
now.”
Like it or not, technology is
becoming more and more integrated into our lives. And whether you are someone who stands
resolutely outside of its Borg-like
assimilation, scoffing at the rest

of us who are seemingly buried
in our smartphones and tablets
all day, or whether you are someone who stood in line outside of
Best Buy to get the latest version
of the iPad (guilty as charged),
the current reality is this: We are
becoming more familiar with and
more dependent on technology.
Period.
We could debate the merits
and faults of a world like this, but
I’d rather talk about how to best
navigate in today’s technological
world.
First, avoid substituting a
familiarity with your audience for
a familiarity with your technology. Simply because you know
how to tweet and post a status
to Facebook doesn’t mean that
you’re connecting with anyone
about anything important. Social
media only work if you’re actually connected to your audience.
And it is still true that most of
those connections can really only
be formed the old fashioned way:
personally.
Second, use technology instead
of being used by it. As a modest
geek it pains me to say it, but it

is nevertheless true: Technology
suffers from the disease of overpromising yet underdelivering.
It’s good and useful, but never
nearly as good and useful as its
marketing seems to indicate.
It’s easy to get so wrapped up
in what technology promises
and in the experience of using it
that you become the one being
used rather than the other way
around. Hours of productivity
and precious dollars can easily get
sucked up into the vacuum of the
latest version, the next upgrade,
and the mystical, problem-free
world that will magically come
into being as a result. Fight the
ever-present technological gravity by periodically unplugging.
You might be surprised that the
world somehow, someway still
spins, even when you’re not
pushing the buttons.

Finally, stay relevant by staying conversant. In today’s techsavvy world, you simply have
to do your best to keep up. You
don’t have to be an expert in
everything. But if you want to
be able to communicate with
your kids, your customers and
your community, you’ll have to
spend some time on websites
like Wired, Engadget, Gizmodo,
and TechCrunch (and yes, even
Facebook and Twitter). Otherwise, you’ll quickly ﬁnd yourself drowning in a sea of foreign
terms and unfamiliar references,
resulting in a crippling loss of
credibility and resentment for a
world that has passed you by.
Let me leave you with a challenge from Seth Godin — one of
those boomers who has become
a signiﬁcant voice in the age of
technology. In one of his recent

blog posts titled “When did you
get old?” he writes:
“At some point, most brands,
organizations, countries and yes,
people, start talking about themselves like they’re old.
“We can’t stretch in that direction,” or “Not bad for a 60 year
old!” or “I’m just not going to be
able to learn this new technology.” Even countries make decisions like this, often by default.
Governments decide it’s just too
late to change.
“The incredible truth is this: It
never happens at the same time
for everyone. It’s not biologically
ordained. It’s a choice. It’s possible to put out a hit record at
40, run a marathon at 60 and
have your 80-year-old nonproﬁt
change its business model. It’s
not as easy as it used to be, but
that’s why it’s worth doing.”

PAGE 24

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

THE COURIER

Senior housing co-op
to go up in Cedar Falls
By JIM OFFNER
jim.offner@wcfcourier.com

CEDAR FALLS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Adults 55 and
older who want to combine a
retirement lifestyle and home
ownership will get a chance for
that when the Village Cooperative of Cedar Falls opens.
The way has been cleared for
St. Paul, Minn.-based Real Estate
Equities Development LLC
to build a three-story, 50-unit
complex in the Pinnacle Prairie
development in Cedar Falls.
The cost of the project is about
$9 million, said Steve Jahnke,
sales and marketing director
for Real Estate Equities Development, which opened similar
facilities for seniors last year in
Mason City and Marshalltown.
In all, the company has built 12
cooperatives in Iowa, Minnesota
and Wisconsin.
The Village Cooperative of
Cedar Falls will have 50 one- or
two-bedroom units with layouts
ranging from 874 to 1,416 square

feet. Each is maintenance-free
and includes a laundry room,
storage area and a private balcony
or patio.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed for people who
want to maintain their independence, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a community,â&#x20AC;?
Jahnke said.
The facility will feature party
rooms, a ďŹ tness room, a guest
suite, elevator, woodworking shop, landscaped gardens,
free wireless Internet, secure
entrances with security cameras,
a heated parking garage and a car
wash.
Each resident will own a share
of the cooperative, which is a
major difference between this
concept and other senior-living
establishments, Jahnke said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a cooperative, the members
control every aspect of ownership,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The cooperative
will also employ an on-site resident services coordinator as well
as offer courtesy services.â&#x20AC;?

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

Earn your four year degree from

Mount Mercy University
at Hawkeye Community College!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The schedule is great; Mount Mercy

works for us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; allowing us to do
outside work on our own time is
really convenient.â&#x20AC;?
Sandy Barrera â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13
Waterloo, Iowa
Management Major
Isle Casino

CO-OP
From page 24
Diane Robert is the sales coordinator, with an office at 3630
University Ave., Suite B., in
Waterloo.
Construction on the project
could begin as early as September if at least 30 buyers have
signed up for units. Construction
will wait until next spring if that
number isn’t reached in time to
build in the fall, Robert said.
“We’re now at 19; these are
pretty solid people,” Robert said.
“The math looks pretty good (for
building in the fall).”
Project manager Shane Wright
said interest has been plentiful.
“We have had a great response;
we’ve had over 200 people contact us showing an interest in
possibly making a move,” he said.
“But there are several steps you
have to take.”
The cooperative concept is
gaining traction, Jahnke said.
“There’s about 97 senior housing cooperatives in the country,
and 75 are in Minnesota,” he said.
“Every town in Minnesota has a
cooperative.”
Iowa is following suit, he said.

Courtesy photo

An artist’s rendering of the Village Cooperative of Cedar Falls, which will go up in the Pinnacle Prairie development.
A $500 refundable deposit is
required from applicants.
“That basically gets you a priority number to select a home,”
Jahnke said. “Once they do that,
they’ll sit down with Diane Robert, and she’ll go over the advantages of cooperative housing. It’s
our opinion this is the best senior
housing value in the market,
short of if you need services or
assisted living.”
As for other costs, each unit
comes with an ownership share
in the facility.
“Residents own 100 percent of
the building,” Jahnke said.

Shares cost $40,000 to $80,000
and appreciate 3 percent annually, he added.
There also is a monthly fee
starting at $800 and rising,
depending on the type of unit
purchased, Jahnke said.
“They cover the expenses for

the building, and about 65 percent of that monthly fee is taxdeductible,” he said.
Robert said many would-be
applicants who visit with her are
most curious about what living
in a co-op situation means.
“I say a cooperative is a collec-

tive group of people who own
shares and everybody has a sayso in what happens there,” she
said. “They’re voting members.
And, each member of the board
are residents.”
Anyone interested in the project can call Robert at 266-1111.

2011 Festival of Trees
Call for Decorators
The Gallery of Trees planning committee is
seeking people interested in decorating a tree
or wreath for this event, to be held November
16 - 20, 2011. The Gallery of Trees is viewed
by thousands of people in the community.
If you or your employees are interested in
donating your time, talents and supplies to this
worthy cause, please contact:
Peg Ascherl, Chair
319-269-0138
Or
Joan Hovey, Chair
319-231-8636

Things to remember with a new business
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that just 69 percent of
businesses survive at least two
years.
Only
44 percent of
new companies
experience.
With that in
mind, here a few
tips
on making a business
successful.
Rick Brimeyer First, there is
is the president
of Brimeyer LLC, a big difference
an independent between having
a good idea and
management
consulting ﬁrm having a viable
located in Ames. business.
The
Contact him at
Small Business
(515) 450-8855. Administration
provides a useful
business plan template which
forces the hopeful entrepreneur
to consider all aspects of the
new venture. We’ve all heard the
phrase, “You don’t know what
you don’t know.” The business

template highlights areas that
require additional research.
Be conservative when completing the business plan. There
will be unexpected expenses and
delays. When conducting market research, understand that not
everyone who tells you you’ve
got a great idea will become a
customer; many are just trying
to be kind and encouraging.
Don’t overlook legal and professional fees as well as insurance when estimating expenses.
QuickBooks accounting software and online services such as
LegalZoom can be great investments for a new company.
A traditional ﬁnancial planning
rule of thumb suggests individuals carry a three- to six-month
emergency fund. While this is
typically adequate for individuals
who consider their employment
steady and secure, 12 months or
more is appropriate for someone taking on the risks of a new

business.
Those leaving the comfort of
a traditional employer should
make sure they consider the cost
of all of the beneﬁts which they’ll
be forfeiting. Making up employer contributions for health insurance, retirement plan, Social
Security match and Medicare
can amount to tens of thousands
of dollars per year. For the selfemployed, those expenses are as
real as groceries and gas.
Note that paid time off was not
included in the forfeited beneﬁts
above. That’s because vacation,
sick leave, personal time and
bereavement are typically not
out-of-pocket expenses for the
self-employed. When migrating
from employed to going it alone,
paid time off becomes simply
time off. The lights to the busi-

ness are off.
Owning a business blurs the
lines between work and life.
While there may be more personal schedule ﬂexibility depending
on the type of business, almost
every small business owner
will testify that they work more
than they did when they were
employed by someone else.
It becomes critical to regularly
step away from the business to
not only recharge the batteries
but also to see more clearly the
forest for the trees. Things can
change quickly with a small business as new opportunities and
challenges arise.
A clear head is vital to making sound decisions to direct the
business. Once the leap is taken,
the entrepreneurial light switch
is ﬂipped on. Potential opportu-

nities appear almost constantly
where before there were apparently none. Sound thinking is
needed to determine which are
legitimate and which are merely
distractions.
It only follows then that
focusing on the primary revenue stream means taking really
good care of existing customers. Retaining existing customers is almost always much easier
than ﬁnding new ones. More
importantly, in today’s socially
networked world, creating outspoken fans of current customers is a most effective marketing
strategy.
Finally, it helps to have a capable accountant. And the only
people who tell jokes about an IT
help desk are those lucky enough
to have one.

Janitorial service shapes to how your business is perceived
First impressions. You truly
only get one. The ﬁrst impression
you make on a new client, prospective employee
or any guest to
your facility is
important one. A
first impression
can tell people a
lot about who your
organization is. It
can make people
Gary Marske comfortable, or
is operations and
sales manager for turn them away
Marsden Building in an instant. A
clean, well-mainMaintenance
LLC, which
tained building
has a location
creates a welcomin Waterloo.
ing environment
Contact him at
and lets people
(515) 865-3808
know you appreor gmarske@
ciate them and
marsden.com.
their business.
Choosing the
right janitorial company is a big
part of that ﬁrst impression.
Every building needs to be

WO-072911006

cleaned, and every building
has different cleaning needs.
Likewise, all janitorial companies clean, but not all have the
capabilities to ﬁt your speciﬁc
building’s needs. Some are small
— one- or two-person companies that have been in business
for a few years — while others
have a national presence with 50
years in the business and several
thousand employees. How do
you know which one to choose?
A good janitorial company
will come out and customize a
program to ﬁt the needs of your
organization. Do you simply need
to have the trash taken out and
the restrooms cleaned a couple
of times a week, or will you need
several full-time janitors?
A good janitorial company will
also be available to meet with
you regularly to ensure the services they provide continue to
meet the needs of your facility as tenancy and occupancy

changes.
A large, multitenant building
will have different needs from
a medical facility with clean
rooms that need the attention
of a special team or a restaurant with grease traps and hood
cleaning in a food prep environment. You may have special
ﬂoors that need more than just
sweeping and mopping or a 7
foot tall tchotchke that needs to
be dusted. You may need extra
day porter services for tenants
and guests with speciﬁc needs.
Take into consideration all areas
of your organization: kitchens,
restrooms, windows, parking
lots, landscaping and HVAC
systems to name a few.
Your janitorial company should
also be able to help your organization achieve its corporate goals
and values. Are you or would
you like to become LEED-compliant? Is day or night cleaning important to you? Are you

a sustainable organization that
values partnering with other
sustainable organizations? A
good janitorial company will be
a partner as well, helping you to
stay on budget and to fulﬁll the
expectations of your customers,
tenants, etc.
As with anything, communication is paramount. If you have
several janitors on staff around
the clock, they may be available
by pager or cell phone for immediate assistance. A more infrequent schedule may only require
a notebook or an occasional
email to do the job. Unfortunately, the unexpected does
occur. In the case of ﬁre, ﬂood
or other disaster, emergency
response time and live support
is tremendously important as is
the quick and safe restoration of
that environment. A good company may offer emergency preparedness planning in their repertoire of services, and knowing

your options ahead of time is
always a good policy to have.
From putting the right mat in
the right place to reduce tracking of dirt to placing wet ﬂoor
signs and touch point cleaning;
the right tools for the right job
are essential not only to a wellmaintained facility but also to
the health and safety of your
building occupants.
As a value-added service, some
companies may also be able to
provide you with the consumable supplies for your restrooms,
the matting for your entry ways
and other specialty services all
on your regular bill.
It is important to work with
your vendor to design the right
program for your company.
When it is done right, it adds
value to buildings, owners, tenants and employees.
Choose the right company for
your building and make your
ﬁrst impression a lasting one.

PAGE 28

THE COURIER

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

DENNIS MAGEE /
Courier Regional
Editor

cvbusinessmonthly.com

a perfect example. He said their
love for nature is evident.
“That’s what these ﬁeld days
are all about — to spread that
enthusiasm,” Herring said.
“I think business and (timber) management can go hand
in hand. People just want to do
what’s right.”
That was always the goal of
the Schrages. With Iowa’s landscape dominated by row crops,
the couple felt compelled to pre-

Neal
Schrage’s
property in
Butler County
features
dozens of
acres along
the west
branch of the
Cedar River.

Money trees
Business and nature co-exist well near Parkersburg
of Natural Resources, Iowa State
University Extension and other
environmental groups.
More than two dozen people
PARKERSBURG — Sometimes
business aspirations trump envi- toured Schrage’s Woods, native
ronmental concerns. For Neal prairie and woodworking shop.
Schrage, they go together like
trees and leaves.
With retirement from Caterpillar on the horizon, the rural
Parkersburg man is starting a
second career as a woodworker.
But his quest to have an endless
supply of raw materials comes
second to protecting the soil, air
and water and providing habitat
for wildlife.
Schrage and his wife, Chris,
purchased 144 acres of timber
and farmland about eight miles
northeast of Parkersburg more
than a decade ago.
They’ve since converted it to
all forest and native prairie, giving the property a park-like feel
— complete with signed trails
through immense ash, oak,
maple and hackberry trees near
the west fork of the Cedar River.
In June the Schrages hosted a
forestry ﬁeld day to prove nature
and business interests can coexist. The event was co-sponsored by the Iowa Department WO-072911007
By MATTHEW WILDE

matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com

Experts gave advice on how
to properly manage forests
and harvest logs for specialty
products.
Joe Herring, district forester for
the DNR, said the Schrages are

WO-072911057

AUGUST 2011
serve the little forest that’s left
— at least the acres under their
control.
With the help of the DNR, the
couple formulated a forest stewardship plan for nearly 65 acres
of mature timber. The objectives
are to improve the quality of the
woodland for wildlife and recreational opportunities and as an
investment.

See FOREST, page 29

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

PAGE 29

THE COURIER

During the ﬁeld day in June,
Schrage and forestry experts
talked about proper care for
trees and what not to do. Schrage
said he has made many mistakes
through the years, and advice
from experts is always welcome.
For example, he has learned not
to mow too close to young trees
because even small amounts of
damage from the blade or mower
deck can set trees back. However,
Schrage said, people shouldn’t

give up on trees too soon because
they tend to bounce back.
Tom and Agnes Kenney from
rural Elkader, 2010 Iowa Tree
Farmers of the Year, attended
the ﬁeld day. More than a dozen
are held each year statewide, and
the couple likes to hit every one.
“You always gain something,”
Agnes said.
For more information about
forestry and programs available,
call Herring at (641) 752-3352.

DENNIS MAGEE / Courier Region Editor

Neal Schrage hosted a forestry ﬁeld day recently on his property in rural Butler County. Schrage has planted
about 7,000 trees in the last decade.

From page 28
Some suggestions include
incorporating seeds that fall
from trees to encourage new
growth, removing undesirable
species to relieve crowding and
harvesting declining trees in a
timely manner.
About 7,000 trees were planted to create 14 acres of windbreaks on the property. Fifty-six
tillable acres were converted to
prairie grass and wildﬂowers last
year.
The Schrages utilized government cost-share programs,
some up to 75 percent, to help
pay for land improvements.
“When it comes to taking care
of the environment and wildlife, we know we can work with
(people) to make an impact,”
Herring said.
Timber management is more
than just planting trees and
letting them grow. It’s a lot of
work, but the reward is worth it,
Schrage said.
Wildlife activity has exploded
recently, said the avid hunter.
Deer, turkey and pheasants call
the property home.
Windbreaks and putting erodible land into the conservation
reserve program have cut down
on soil erosion, officials said.
“If everybody does a little bit,
it goes a long way,” Schrage said.
Plus, the 62-year-old said, the
woods will provide all the lumber he needs to satisfy a wood-

working passion that’s gradually
morphed into a business. Schrage
currently works in Minneapolis
as a supplier collaboration engineer for Caterpillar, making sure
equipment is made as economical as possible while meeting all
design speciﬁcations. He is home
on weekends, which he spends
taking care of the property and
working in the wood shop.
Years ago Schrage started
out making highchairs, miniature table and chair sets and
toy boxes that resemble trains
and semis for his grandchildren.
Now, he makes portable butcher
block tables, signs for homes,

baseball bats and other items.
Bats are donated to children in
Nicaragua.
Though Schrage doesn’t
advertise, word has spread
about the burgeoning unnamed
business — nschrage@dishmail.
net — and orders are coming in.
He even built his own kiln to
dry wood harvested from the
property.
There’s no question, though,
what his highest priority is:
Nature always trumps proﬁt.
“It just makes sense. Why
would you want to destroy the
environment to make money?”
Schrage asked.

grow for it
there’s a new voice for the region

corridor
See what’s here for you.
UpperIowaCorridor.org
Just Grow for It

The Upper Iowa Corridor is a
resource to make life better in
communities surrounding Highway
150. Visit UpperIowaCorridor.org
to start or grow your business and
learn about the best of the Fayette
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Scan this tag with your
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at www.GetTag.Mobi.

WO-072911027

FOREST

WO-072911004

PAGE 30

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

THE COURIER

Pump up the past

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

Viking marks 100th anniversary
with new Cedar Falls museum

together over the last eight or nine vious memorabilia they had, and
months, anybody who was curi- we were trying to ďŹ gure out how
ous about Viking Pumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history we could display that,â&#x20AC;? said Beth
CEDAR FALLS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The history was relegated to a small display Sulentic, Vikingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing
of Viking Pump is now a ready on the third ďŹ&#x201A;oor of the George manager.
Wyth House in Cedar Falls.
resource.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;They gave us some of the preViking Pump opened its new
See VIKING, page 31
museum in June in the main hall
WO-072911029
of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main office at
406 State St.
The museum, opened as part of
Vikingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yearlong 100th anniversary celebration, showcases the
companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products and history
with displays, documents, photographs and time lines.
Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a small business owner, evaluating your
Among the displays are original
estate planning strategies, or sending your kids to
patents issued to Jens Nielsen,
college, we can help you plan to reach your financial
the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, who
goals through personal, customized financial planning.
started the company after having
emigrated from Denmark.
Call (319) 234-7000 and ask for Larry today!
Prior to the museum, which
was designed in-house and put
By JIM OFFNER

jim.offner@wcfcourier.com

A personal, more meaningful
approach to financial planning.

RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer

Jens Nielsen used wooden mockups of pump designs to test his
concepts. Several are on display at the recently opned Viking Pump
Museum in Cedar Falls.

to the Staff of the Waterloo Hampton Inn for
once again being awarded the "Circle of
Excellence" in customer service, cleanliness and
guest surveys. Be looking for the opening of our
NEW Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center next

The original
“Granddad
Pump”
(circa 1904)
is presented
at the front
door of the
Viking Pump
Museum in
Cedar Falls.

From page 30
“That, and the 100th anniversary, were the drivers (behind
building the new museum).”
Planners decided it was time to
tell Viking’s history and its aspirations for the future in greater
detail, Sulentic said.
“The museum does a good
job of explaining who we are
and what we’ve done,” she said.
“We tell the story of our roots
and move to some things we’re
known for today and to what the
future vision of the company is.”
The museum features Vikingmanufactured pumps of virtually
every shape, size and era, Sulentic said.
“We have 50 to 60 panels of
information, plus interactive
displays,” she said, adding that
a tour through all the displays
could take upward of two to three
hours.

“It’s self-guided, but we do
have tour guides available during
large open houses” and school
ﬁeld trips, she said.
The museum is designed to
appeal to different tastes, whether it’s a love of history, an appreciation of the evolution of technology a desire to learn about the
types of Viking products found in
the home, Sulentic said.
“I like the history aspect of it,”
she said. “We were able to get

PAGE 31
Jens Nielsen’s original passport.
We were able to capture a lot
of information we didn’t know
existed.”
The museum is available to visitors free of charge and is open
during community events, such
as the annual Sturgis Falls celebration each June. Individuals looking to tour the museum
should call 266-1741 ahead of the
visit to make an appointment,
Sulentic said.

Want to get posted?
For advertising opportunities in future cvbm directories,
contact Jackie Nowparvar at 319-291-1527.

Be prepared for senior emergencies Former Team Cos. executive
with tool kit designed for caregivers will head up TDS subsidiary
It’s the midnight call that can
strike terror in the hearts of so
many who are caring for or serving older adults. Maybe it’s that
Mom has suffered a stroke.
Or Dad has taken
the wrong dose
of medicine and
gets sick. Perhaps
you are a senior
care professional
who encounters
Candy
an
older adult
Diercks
who
doesn’t
is owner of Home
know what medInstead Senior
Care. Contact her ications she is on.
at 235 5999.
Or a senior who
doesn’t remember if he has a living will. An emergency with an
older adult can happen at any
time. Seniors are at particular
risk because of the large numbers of medications they are
taking.
What’s worse: Many family caregivers who live in fear of
getting “the call” don’t have the

information they need to help
their loved ones. In fact, research
has conﬁrmed this.
The Home Instead Senior Care
network surveyed future family caregivers — those who are
expecting to be family caregivers
within the next 10 years. Less
than half — 47 percent — say
they are knowledgeable about
their parents’ medical histories.
And about half — 49 percent
— are unable to name any of the
medications their parents are
taking each day. Furthermore,
36 percent of those future caregivers don’t know where their
seniors’ ﬁnancial information is
located.
That’s why the Home Instead
Senior Care network has introduced the Answering the CallSM
program. It’s designed to help
family caregivers be better prepared for that emergency call
that their senior loved one needs
help. Home Instead worked with
Humana Points of Caregiving to
develop a variety of resources

that I know will be of interest.
These tools include the Caring
for Your Parents: Senior Emergency Kit to help family caregivers keep important information
at their ﬁngertips.
The toolkit is designed so that
family caregivers have ready
access to such information as a
senior’s doctors, pharmacy and
insurance company, medications and dosage details, as well
as allergies and other important
documents. Check out www.
SeniorEmergencyKit.com for
more information.

MADISON, Wis. — TDS Telecommunications Corp. has selected
Phil LaForge as chief operating
officer of TDS Hosted & Managed Services LLC.
“Phil comes to TDS with an
extensive background in the
managed services industry. Most
recently, he was vice president
and general manager at Nimsoft (part of CA Technologies) in
Campbell, California,” William
Megan, president of TDS Hosted
& Managed Services LLC, said
in a news release. “Phil understands the hosted and managed

services business exceptionally
well and will help TDS expand in
this exciting business segment.”
Prior to his work at CA Technologies, LaForge had a long tenure with CDW Berbee in Madison
and will be returning to familiar
roots, having previously served
as vice president of sales and
COO at Team Cos. in Cedar Falls,
which became a TDS subsidiary
last winter.
LaForge holds a bachelor’s
degree in history from University
of Illinois and an MBA in ﬁnance
from Florida State University.

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WO-072911012

PAGE 36

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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

Recruitment program brings workers back to Iowa

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rs

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IC

6

based in Decorah.
Prentice said his family’s plans
are to move back to Iowa as soon
as we get some money saved.
The Welcome Home to Iowa
program is a way to ﬁght the
well-noted “brain drain” afflicting the state, Joblinske said.
“We know 18,000 people
will be leaving Iowa by 2013 as
a result of baby boomers retiring and lower birth rates,” she
said. “We know the talent crunch
is going to get more severe, so
we’re focusing on a sustainable
program so when we have that
candidate that’s looking to move
back home, we’re looking to connect that individual to resources
in making that move.”
Manpower handled the screening and interview process for
Reel-Core.
“I was just looking for an
industrial electrician, and I was

2

WAUKON — Greg Prentice just
wanted to come back home.
Manpower Inc. helped him take
a big step in that direction with
a new initiative it launched last
fall.
The Welcome Home to Iowa
program is designed to aggressively recruit and relocate talent
back to Iowa with an eye on supporting the growth of the state’s
businesses and communities by
ﬁlling needs in a “timely” fashion, Manpower officials said.
“This program is proof that
Manpower is dedicated to our
local communities and committed to innovative workforce
solutions for our clients,” said
Kathy Joblinske, Waterloo-based
regional director for Manpower
of Iowa.
Manpower created the program
in November 2010, after having found it difficult to source
available talent in state, due to
the state’s lower-than-average
unemployment rate. Manpower
looked for a solution that leveraged its national presence and

decided to recruit individuals
who emigrated from Iowa back to
the state. A recruitment program
was launched formally this year.
Prentice, a native of Boone who
received his training at Northeast Iowa Community College in
Calmar, was jobless in Brownsville, Minn., after a layoff.
He applied for an opening as
an industrial electrician at ReelCore Inc., a plastics manufacturer in Waukon, through Manpower’s job board.
“It’s all worked out real good,”
said Prentice, 46, who has been
on the job for a little over two
months. “The people down at
Manpower found this job for me,
and I’ve been there ever since. I
just got through my probationary
period, and it seems to be going
pretty good.”
Manpower’s two-edged goal
for the program is to bring former Iowans back into the state,
as well as bring non-Iowans who
were educated in Iowa back into
the state’s workforce.
“The program’s whole goal is to
get people back into the state of
Iowa,” said Erika Murillo, a Manpower senior staffing specialist

Ye
a

By JIM OFFNER
jim.offner@wcfcourier.com

OF S E

very interested in how his resume
looked,” said Brian Hermanson,
plant manager at Reel-Core. “We
met with him and it just clicked.
He’s working out very well.”
The company, which is in the
midst of a production peak, is
looking to ﬁll some machinist
positions, as well, and is working
with Manpower to meet those
needs, Hermanson added.
“I think it’s a great program,” he
said. “For my general labor, it’s
kind of hard to ﬁll needs under
that program, because not many
people want to move for a $9or $10-an-hour job, but skilled
labor is different. I’m hoping to
maybe draw a small family back
into our community.”
Welcome Home to Iowa
embraces a variety of skill sets,
Murillo said.
“We’re not looking for a speciﬁc mold,” she said. “It runs full

gamut from skilled trades to professional positions.”
Candidates and employers can
contact Manpower, she added.
“I have an industrial electrician
who would be interested in living
in Waterloo-Cedar Falls area,”
she said. “I also have a manufacturing and quality assurance
manager interested in Waterloo-Cedar Falls. Both are out of
state.”
Multiple social media platforms
should help bring more workers
back to Iowa, Joblinske said.
“We have a nationwide database at Manpower and can locate
talent across the U.S.,” she said.
“Word of mouth is very big. We
all know family members live out
of state and we get referrals to the
program, as well.”
For more information, contact
Murillo at (507) 383-8181 or erika.
murillo@na.manpower.com.

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Payday loans bad for consumers
The dangers of payday loans are
well documented: Consumers
pay astronomical interest rates
on small sums
of money, often
dragging them
into a cycle of debt.
Payday loans may
be convenient,
but is an annual
Tom Miller percentage rate
is the attorney
of interest of 300
general for
Iowa. For more to 400 percent
information or to worth that conﬁle a complaint, venience? These
contact the
loans are risky and
Attorney General’s expensive.
Consumer
Here’s how payProtection Division,
day
loans work:
Des Moines,
For
$100
in cash
50319. Call (515)
now, you write the
281-5926 or
toll-free at (888) lender a check for
$116.67, which is
777-4590.
cashed in a week
or two. A $16.67
fee for a two-week, $100 loan
works out to an APR interest rate
of over 434 percent. Even a very
expensive credit card would only
charge around 24 percent APR
— that ends up being a 92-cent
fee for that same $100.
Those interest rates and fees
add up, even if you pay the loans

back on time. If you don’t, you’re
in big, ﬁnancial trouble. Borrowers of payday loans often have to
return for more loans to pay back
loans they’ve previously taken
out, the dreaded debt treadmill.
Almost half of Iowa borrowers of
payday loans borrow over 12 of
them a year, leading to an average
of $480 spent on borrowing fees.
Now payday lenders are going
online to make it more convenient for consumers to go deeper
into debt. However, it is often
illegal for online payday lenders
to make loans to Iowa consumers.
Payday lenders must be licensed
by the state, and to be licensed
must have physical presence in
the state.
If you need emergency cash for
important bills, search for alternatives. For example, if you have
a pressing utility bill, check ﬁrst
with the utility company about
emergency assistance programs.
If you’re having trouble paying
bills month after month, seek
debt counseling instead of the
debt treadmill. Trying to pay
debts with triple digit APR loans
– especially when made illegally
online – is likely to sweep your
ﬁnancial situation downward
into a spiral of worsening debt.

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PAGE 37

PAGE 38

THE COURIER

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

cvbusinessmonthly.com

AUGUST 2011

Thinking of getting a smaller car? Autumn is time to buy
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Thinking of trading in the clunker in
your garage for something that
gets better gas mileage? Wait a
little longer.
Small car prices, which have set
record highs this year, are expected to come down this fall.
Lower gas prices will make
people comfortable driving
something bigger. Honda and
Toyota, which were hurt by the
Japan earthquake, will crank up
production of small cars. And
Japan and Detroit will offer big
discounts on smaller models as
their lots ﬁll up.
The average new compact car,
which cost a record $20,500 in
June, should fall to about $19,300
by the end of the year. The average used compact car should fall
from a record $11,300 to about
$9,600 over the same time,
according ﬁgures compiled by
the Kelley Blue Book auto pricing
service.
Small-car prices should start
falling in September and accelerate through the end of the year.
“Values for these vehicles just
rose too quickly and got to a
level that was really unsustainable,” says Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for the
Kelley Blue Book car pricing
service.
Here are factors pushing down
small-car prices:
■ Small-car surplus: Carmakers such as Honda and Toyota are
boosting production following
Japan’s March 11 earthquake and
tsunami. The disaster essentially shut down that nation’s auto
industry and slowed Japanesebrand factories in North America. With factories returning to
normal, American dealers will
have more Civics, Corollas and
Priuses. And they won’t have to
put small-car buyers on waiting
lists, like they did this spring.
In fact, some will have more
small cars than they need says
George Davis, general manager of
a Honda dealership in Ann Arbor,
Mich.
“One minute they’re going to
look out the window and see
50 cars. Two weeks later they’ll

Time to buy
FALLING PRICES: Prices for
new and used small cars will fall
later this year. Auto pricing service
Kelley Blue Book expects the
average new compact car to fall
from a record $20,500 in June to
about $19,300 by the end of the
year.
THE REASONS: Some car buyers are shifting to larger vehicles
as gas prices fall from their May
peak. Honda and Toyota are
shipping more cars to dealers
because their plants are ramping
up following a March earthquake
and tsunami in Japan. More cars
in stock could mean discounts for
buyers.

see 300. Panic sets in,” he says.
“They pay interest on these cars
and they’ll have to discount.”
■ Deals: Honda and Toyota
dealers will increase rebates,
low-interest ﬁnancing and other
promotions, Gutierrez predicts. “GM and Ford will be right
behind them, and Hyundai as
well,” he says.
Automakers say they won’t cut
prices even if Toyota and Honda
come out with bigger incentives.
Instead, they want to sell cars on
quality, styling and features.
Dealers and analysts are skeptical, though, saying that once
Honda and Toyota restock, prices
will fall as rivals try to win customers who have to replace their
clunkers. The average age of a car
in the U.S. is now 10.6 years, up
more than a full year from 2008,
according to the Polk research
ﬁrm.
■ Lower gas prices: Gas prices are down 31 cents from their
peak of $3.98 a gallon in May,
and although small-car demand
is still strong, buyers have started
to shift to larger vehicles. Compact and subcompact sales fell to
just under 195,000 last month,
down from 238,000 in March,
according to Autodata Corp.
There’s now a shortage of cars
at Paciﬁc Honda near San Diego.
But there will be a surplus after
July and buyers will see deals,
says Wayne Meyer, president of
the chain that owns the dealer-

“There’s going to be so much defending market share they
ship. Paciﬁc Honda has about 38
vehicles in stock instead of the car availability,” Meyer says. gained or regaining market share
Automakers “are going to be they lost.”
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cvbusinessmonthly.com

CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY

PAGE 39

THE COURIER

Bent on cutting health costs, corporations add in-house clinics
LOS ANGELES — Major employers across the country, eager to
curb fast-rising health care costs,
are opening their own state-ofthe-art health centers where
doctors and nurses provide medical care to workers often just
steps from their desks.
The strategy has been embraced
by dozens of companies — typically large employers that are
self-insured and pay their own
medical claims, including Walt
Disney Co., Qualcomm Inc. and
American Express Co.
Many of the health centers
are full-service medical offices
equipped with exam rooms, Xray machines and pharmacies.
Some provide on-site appointments with dentists, dermatologists, psychiatrists and other
specialists who treat life-threatening illnesses.
Executives say providing inhouse medical care keeps workers healthy and productive. But
the clinics also help the bottom
line by reducing absenteeism and
slashing medical bills for outside
doctors and emergency rooms.
“Employers see the health
centers as a way to get more for
their money,” said Helen Darling,
president of the Washington,
D.C.-based nonproﬁt National
Business Group on Health.
Skeptics wonder about the
quality of the care and worry
workers may surrender medical privacy to employers. Others
question the idea that corporate
medicine is a big money saver.
In a recent study, the nonprofit Center for Studying Health
System Change in Washington,
D.C., found that health centers
hold promise but are unlikely to
be cost-cutting game changers, partly because it’s difficult
to persuade employees to change
unhealthful habits that can lead
to expensive medical care.
“There may be some employers
with high turnover where a clinic
might not end up saving anything,” said Ha Tu, the study’s
lead author.
Even so, health care economists
say the strategy makes sense for

growing numbers of companies
that must keep a vigilant eye on
their bottom lines.
“It is in their self-interest to
have a healthy workforce,” said
Gerald F. Kominski, associate
director of the Center for Health
Policy Research at the University of California-Los Angeles. “There’s a direct economic
beneﬁt.”
And that, health care analysts
say, explains why the corporate
option is steadily mounting.
Nationally, 15 percent of companies with 500 or more employees had health centers last year,
up from 11 percent the year
before, according to an employer
survey by beneﬁts consulting
ﬁrm Mercer. Companies with
20,000 or more employees were
even more likely to have clinics.
Among the biggest advocates is
American Express. Its “wellness
centers” in Phoenix, New York
and three other cities offer free
or low-cost blood tests, physicals, allergy shots, prescriptions
and other services to employees
and family members. Some sites
also provide dental exams, boxing classes, yoga and massage
therapy.

“The investment we are making is more than going to pay off
in improved health and improved
productivity on the job,” said
David Kasiarz, who oversees
global compensation and beneﬁts for the company. “We have
begun to bend the trend of bad
health.”
American Express and others
are expanding beyond urgent
care, emphasizing preventive
services such as mammograms
to keep employees from getting
sick and running up big medical
bills.
NBCUniversal, for one, is gearing up to provide workers with
free screenings for prostate and
skin cancer at its clinic on the
back lot of Universal Studios in
Universal City, Calif. It also plans
to introduce an electrocardiogram machine to detect heart
irregularities.
“We want to take every opportunity for prevention,” said Dr.
Tanya Benenson, the company’s
chief medical officer, who oversees its six medical clinics in New
York; Universal City; Burbank,
Calif.; and Orlando, Fla. “If we
can keep people healthier and get
to illnesses earlier, they won’t be